Hazel Wylerdean Boatright, age 97, was born on January 21, 1922 in Senatobia, Mississippi and passed away November 11, 2019 in Knoxville, TN. Wylerdean was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She always brought warm and lighthearted comfort with her sense of humor and laugh. She loved sharing that laugh whether teaching four year olds at Memphis’ Audubon Park Baptist Church where she was a lifelong member or playing croquet in the yard with grandchildren.
Wylerdean grew up in Senatobia, Mississippi where she met her husband Clydene Russell Boatright. They later moved to Memphis, TN and together they raised three daughters. “Boat” and Wylerdean were married 55 years until his passing in 1994. Later, she relocated to Knoxville to be near family. The friends she made in East Tennessee loved her “Memphis Southern Lady” accent and laughter.
Wylerdean was preceded in death by her parents Samuel Carroll Cocke and Beatrice Edna Cocke; her brothers Leo, Kerr and Carroll Cocke; her sisters Velma Burford and Arthenia Hensley; her daughter Sandra Dacus and her grandson Hunter Holloway.
Survivors include: Her brother Don Cox (Bea); her daughters Brenda Sallee (David) and Mary Lynn Holloway (Jerry); her son-in-law Roger Dacus; her grandchildren Doug Sallee (Kara) and Chris Holloway (Cindy); her honorary daughter Shelia Abbott (Steve).
Additional survivors include four great-grandchildren Victoria Holloway, Donnie Holloway, Rocky Holloway and Dylan Sallee along with six beloved nieces and nephews who affectionately referred to her as “Aunt Dean”.
Friends and family will gather for graveside services at Forest Hills East Funeral Home and Cemetery, 2440 Whitten Rd, Memphis, TN on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.
A special thank you to all her friends and staff at Elmcroft Senior Living of Halls for making her feel right at home in Knoxville.
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